Collapsed Fuel Lines anybody??
 

Hi.... I've finally tracked down an annoying loss of power problem I've been having...

At WOT I suddenly will lose all power and may even stall... I was having this problem intermittently, but yesterday it happened while I was trying to power up under a drawbridge and I stalled in the middle of the bridge and luckily the boat behind me was observant enough to notice I stalled and he backed down...

Long story shortened, it was being caused by collapsing fuel lines... apparently the "WONDERFUL" gas we get here on Lawnguyland has taken it's toll on my fuel lines...

Replacing all fuel lines with SAE J30R7 lines and I guess I'll have to replace them every couple of years now...

Just curious if I'm not the only one to experience this side effect of ethanol laced fuel...

Rich

Yes, fuel lines should be changed every 5 years.

Nevber seen it, and I maintain a handful of boats from say 1984 and up that I have worked on since brand new.

We first got E10 in our area around 10-12 years ago. We had tons of problems 11st two years with the white powder residue clogging fuel filters, fittings, and especially carburetors. It turned me into the local carburetor guy. LOL. Actually not LOL, that sucked ! Parts stored where sending people to me too. After a few years things calmed down as it seems that all tanks, lines, and carbs stayed clean after those first few years. *

* Only carbs I still get back here and there are those with billet aluminum uncoated fuel bowls and metering blocks. With some of the fuel bowl screws used these seem to go thru a little electrolysis here and there. Yes. have had to replace some fuel bowl screws that where being eaten/corroded too.

Anyway, I am not saying the fuel line collapsing does not happen. I have heard of this thru other people too. So, I believe it and just relaying my small experiences while also making sure I subscribe to this thread to see how many people run into this too.

Replace every 5yrs though ? I would like some info/data on this. Seems excessive ?

Rbser - hard to tell by reading your post......did your replace your fuel lines and all is fine now ? No more running issues ?

SB, I am in the process of replacing fuel lines now as well as changing to a different style of fuel water separator... all new SAEj30R7 hose and racor filter...

Amazon delivery expected this afternoon..... LOL

Rich

I've only heard of it happening once and that was on a brand new 2000 32 Sunsation. E-10 was not involved.

The Ethanol in the gas tears up all types of rubber lines. The SS braided lines all have rubber inside the braided cover. Other than that they are the same rubber as any other hose. Some have silicon rubber but they too still get eaten up. I have replaced ALL of my fuel lines to the tune of about $400 with #8 PTFE style hose. Regular braided fittings won't work. You have to buy new PTFE fittings. The hose is Teflon lined with a SS braided cover. Looks the same. If you have ever made up brake lines for a car, it is the same type of construction. Gas will never affect it. It's a little more expensive but IMO it's way worth it. Check Summit, Jegs, Speedway etc. They all carry it and the fittings. Good luck.

Heard of it even with the braided VST lines. I don't use ethanol fuel and still stabilize with Startron. I refuse to roll the dice with a fuel system that was engineered pre ethanol use.

FWIW I replaced the fuel lines with all new 5/16" SAE J30R7 lines, removed the old (about two year old) gray USCG approved fuel line that came with the primer bulb and the OMC engine fuel fittings, and added a inline filter (Donaldson P550012) in the fuel line after the primer bulb... (Still haven't gotten around to installing the fuel filter/water separator yet) , and after checking the fuel pump screen on the engine (spotless and completely clean), also replaced the fuel line from the shroud up to the pump as well....

Engine runs great, no more bogging down, no more lag, and pulls hole shots like it should..

I did notice that the gray jacketed fuel line has a PLASTIC liner in it and the plastic liner was very soft as was the fuel line.... so that almost assuredly was my point of collapse in the fuel lines.... hopefully the better fuel lines will last for a few years.... I did buy a 50' roll of it.... so swapping out fuel line, is not out of the question every two years or so....


Rich